Montserrat: Volcanic Montserrat: Volcanic Eruption in an LEDCEruption in an LEDC

Montserrat 1997-8

MontserratMontserrat• Montserrat is a small island in the

Caribbean and is 12 miles long and 7 miles wide. There is a volcanic area located in the south of the island, called Soufriere Hills.

• The volcanic peak in this area is called Chances Peak.• In 1995, the volcano began to give off warning signs of an

eruption (small earthquakes and eruptions of dust and ash). • Once Chances Peak had woken up it then remained active for a

period of 5 years. The most intense eruptions occurred in 1997.• It is known as the 'Emerald Island' and is mountainous with plenty

of woodland. • Much of the population are poor and rely on farming which is for

their subsistence. • Before the eruption of 1995, over 12,000 people lived on the island

but less than 5000 do today

The Causes of The Causes of the Montserrat the Montserrat

EruptionEruption

• Montserrat lies on a destructive plate destructive plate boundary.boundary.

• The volcano is caused by the subductionsubduction of the North American/Atlantic plate under the Caribbean plate.

• As the two plates merge the oceanic plate is forced down or sub ducted under the continental plate.

• As it is forced down pressure increases which triggers earthquakes and at the same time heat produced by friction melts the descending crust to  form molten magma.

• The hot magma tries to rise to the surface and when it succeeds it is released through a volcanic vent.

• Over time this forms a volcano.

The story of the eruptionsThe story of the eruptions1992 - The first Earthquake1995 - The volcano erupts after being dormant for 500 years.1996 - The volcano continued to erupt and became more violent causing increased damage.1997 - Large eruptions continued with the dome collapsing and large pyroclasticpyroclastic flowsflows affecting much of the island

Primary Effects of the Primary Effects of the EruptionEruption

• 2/3 of the island covered in ash• 50% of population evacuated to the

north of the island to makeshift shelters

• 23 people died in 1997• The capital, Plymouth became a ghost

town• Floods as valleys blocked with ash• Airport and port closed• Farmland destroyed• Forest fires caused by pyroclastic pyroclastic

flowsflows• Schools and hospitals destroyed

Secondary Effects of the Secondary Effects of the EruptionEruption

• As most of the southern area was destroyed any remaining inhabitants have had to endure harsh living conditions in the North.

• Transport remains a problem for people travelling to the island as the port and airport remain closed.

• The tourist industry is still suffering with few visitors except for cruise ships looking at the volcano

• Over half the population left the island and have not returned

ResponseResponses to the s to the EruptionEruption

• £41 million was given in aid by the British Government. Money was given to individuals to help them move to other countries.

• Riots occurred as locals complained that the British were not doing enough to help the island

• The MVO (Montserrat Volcano Observatory) was set up to study the volcano and provide warnings for the future

• A risk assessment was done to help islanders understand which areas are at risk and reduce problems for the future.

• Airport was rebuilt.• Capital moved to Little Bay in the

North of the island.